New Partnership Fuels Tech Innovation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Oak Ridge National Laboratory and The Company Lab signed a new partnership Wednesday aimed at helping bring more Tennessee-developed technology from the lab to the marketplace.
The organizations signed a memorandum of understanding focused on connecting entrepreneurs with ORNL’s research, technology and facilities while supporting startups through CO.LAB’s accelerator programs.
Dr. Shaun Gleason, ORNL’s director of partnerships, said commercialization is the key to turning research into real-world impact.
“Discovery isn’t enough, which is I think the key to this partnership here federal investment and research delivers its greatest value when those discoveries become technologies, businesses, and industries that actually benefit society so we have to create intentional connections to make that happen between the people who make those discoveries and the people who build the companies that are willing to step out.”
The partnership is designed to help move technologies developed through ORNL research toward the marketplace, with a focus on advanced energy, mobility and quantum technologies.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said continuing to support scientific research is important for bringing new opportunities to Tennessee.
“I continue to work with such enthusiasm to make sure that the office of science and you’ll see it in two weeks on the house floor that the office of science which funds our international laboratories continues to have robust funding, but we want to bring it home.”
The agreement also connects entrepreneurs with ORNL researchers and facilities while expanding support for startups through CO.LAB’s accelerator programs.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said the partnership reflects the city’s growing momentum in emerging technologies.
“This is sort of a banner day. I think watching our efforts in quantum here mature and really get momentum has been probably the single most exciting trend I’ve seen since I’ve been Mayor and again the fact is that we have the goods here in Chattanooga.”
